So…en route to becoming a member of The Wine Century Club a few years ago, I researched 100 grapes and tried many wines. The entry level requirement is 100 grape varieties. There are higher levels as well. Here is a link to the club website: winecentury.com.

Torrontés has quickly risen to become Argentina’s signature white-wine grape, and one of the most widely grown. Torrontés wines range in style from light and fresh to heady and intensely perfumed, often expressing spicy character and aromas of white flowers. The cooler climate here helps with the retention of acidity, yielding a light, refreshing white wine with tones of jasmine and orange blossoms. The wine I tasted had a longer finish, good acidity and floral notes. It reminded me of a Viogner or a Gewürztraminer, both noted for floral a bouquet.

Salta, in the far north of Argentina, is home to some of the world’s most extreme vineyard sites. Many sit at lower latitudes and higher altitudes than anywhere else on Earth. Interestingly, these two factors balance each other out; the cold temperatures associated with high altitude are mitigated by the high temperatures found at these latitudes, producing bright, intensely flavored wines.

Pinotage grape is a native product of South Africa, developed in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first professor of Viticulture at the University of Stellenbosch. Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and the more obscure Rhone varietal, Cinsault, was born in South Africa. The professor hoped to combine the virtues of the two grapes. Pinot Noir is recognized for its aromas and flavors, but can be difficult to grow. Cinsault yields an abundant crop and is resistant to disease. Pinotage typically produces deep red wines. Some have been criticized for sometimes smelling of acetone. The wine I tasted had no aroma of nail polish. Pinotage tends more toward dark fruits, tar, tobacco, and chocolate; sometimes touches of banana have been noted. The grape also tends toward high tannins and low acids.

Pinotage is easy to grow and ripens readily. Plantings didn’t really get started commercially until the 1960s, and, despite a few successes, acreage dwindle from then until the 90s and then the end of apartheid and end of international boycotts on South African products. Interest in South African wines was high, and Pinotage in particular as it was unique to the country.Kanonkop’s Pinotage vines were some of the first commercially planted Pinotage to be established in the Cape and most are over 50 years old. Hardly any irrigation is needed due to the ideal soil type and location.

Kanonkop is a fourth generation family estate, which was originally purchased by JW Sauer, a cabinet member in the parliament of the Union of South Africa. The name Kanonkop was derived from a kopje, something from which a cannon was fired in the 17th Century to alert farmers in outlying areas that sailing ships had entered Table Bay for a stopover at Cape Town.

Hello! I hope you all had a great month of May. Now that it’s June, I’m back and excited to share my experiences with you. Here’s one of the most recent.

Yoga and wine. WOW! What a great concept. This was not the typical yoga snobbery and not the often seen wine snobbery. The event lasted from 11am – 1pm. One hour of yoga followed by 1 hour of wine tasting of 3 wines, made from California grapes but vinified in Boston, Ma…. have I got your interest yet?

The yoga was manageable down dogs, planks, chair pose, triangles, twists, boat pose, tree pose, vinyasa and savasana. Katie Gentile does an absolute wonderful class, a real no judgement zone. She walks around the room so students feel she’s there to help.

Here’s the winery’s notes: “A very big, very young wine that is composed of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. This wine is bright and youthful enough to be drunk on its own or paired with a favorite Italian dish.”

Here is my impression: the Cabernet Sauvignon adds rich saturation and structure to the Sangiovese. Merlot contributes lushness and softness to Sangiovese’s sometimes acidic presentation. To me, this is a wine with very nice acidity, a long finish, red fruit, soft tannins and a tinge of smokiness or woodiness. Sangiovese also has nice herbal aromas and pairs well with anything with tomato sauce or mushrooms. I paired this with a mushroom pizza. This is a delicious wine. Because of the herbal notes, this wine paired nicely with Rose infused dark chocolate from Harbor Candy Shop in Ogunquit, Me. They also sell Lavendar infused chocolates, which I suspect would pair equally as delicious. I would buy this wine again and also consider giving as a gift.

Boston Winery’s Malbec, 2011. This wine was made with grapes from California. In the United States, the majority of Malbec is planted in California, which in 2011 accounted for 84% of the Malbec plantings in the country. Boston Winery staff tell me they have recently made it with Argentinian and Chilean grapes. Soft round tannins, short to medium finish, light oak, red fruit.

Boston Winery’s Mala Femmina Central Coast and Chalk Hill, Sonoma: Here’s the winery notes: “A unique custom cuvee of two different select Chardonnays, a Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc. This mélange presents a panorama of fruit and floral essences. The dominant zests of Granny Smith apple and Meyer lemon highlight the more discrete herbal notes of dry grass and honeysuckle.” This wine was a little boring for me. Short finish, a little flabby.

Here is another wine that I bought and tasted at home:

Boston Blend 2013: Here’s the winery’s notes: “A cuvee of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. This wine is homage to the wines of both the Rhone and New World blends; obviously with liberties of a modern winemaker taken. The tell tale signs of Boston Winery’s smooth well-balanced style are evident. Furthermore, this wine will stand up to virtually any cuisine. Boston Blend exhibits notes of wild cherry, plum, and hints of butterscotch with an ever so subtle woodsy finish.”

Here’s my impression: I would buy this wine again and also give as a gift. The spicy Syrah is certainly noticed, the tannins are soft, there is a minty quality to the wine, woodsy finish is light but present. The Merlot adds more fruitiness. I didn’t get butterscotch ( too bad, I just love butterscotch!). I really enjoyed this wine and who couldn’t love the name, being from Boston after all.